Croatia Seeks to Boost Economic Links with India on Modi’s Pioneering Visit
Source: Balkan Insight
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Croatia’s Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb, 18 June 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE/ANTONIO BAT.
Croatia can play a significant role in connecting the Three Seas Initiative with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday at a dinner to welcome Narendra Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit Croatia.
“As the most natural entry point to Central Europe on the Mediterranean, Croatia is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in connecting [the two],” Plenkovic said in his toast to Modi.
The Three Seas Initiative, linking various Baltic, Adriatic and Black Sea countries, launched in 2015. It includes the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, launched in 2023, is intended to boost economic links across its route. Its founders include India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the EU, France, Germany and Italy.
“This connection offers a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the strategic connectivity of our regions,” Plenkovic said.
He mentioned numerous opportunities to deepen cooperation between the two groups of countries, such as trade, technology, science and education, defence, culture and tourism.
“These efforts are enriched by growing people-to-people ties, which are reflected in the growing number of Indian professionals and workers who make a valuable contribution to Croatian society,” Plenkovic added.
Modi told a press conference on Wednesday that Delhi and Zagreb “have identified those sectors in which we can increase bilateral cooperation”, citing pharmaceuticals, agriculture, information technology, clean technologies, semiconductors, shipbuilding and cyber cooperation as some examples.
The Indian premier’s stopover in Zagreb formed part of a wider tour. Indian media described the Zagreb visit as important, noting Croatia’s strategic “gateway” position as an entry point to the European Union.
The original article: belongs to Balkan Insight .
